Support Local Restaurants that Offer Take-Out Now

Yesterday I called one of my favorite local restaurants, Anglea’s in Tacoma on Portland Avenue in Midland, because I saw they have take-out orders for people who are at high risk and isolating themselves from public contact.

 

Restaurants here in Tacoma are closed now by order of the Governor because of the corona virus, and at least 100 of them are offering take-out and delivery services. And UberEats is delivering for free right now here in Tacoma. (I’m not sure that’s the case everywhere; check it out wherever you live.)

 

So yesterday, when I was craving a chef salad after days of eating crock pot soup (which I also love, but enough is enough on some days!), I called and ordered two: one for right then and one for later today.  I told them I didn’t want to come into the restaurant to pay if I didn’t have to, so they said not to worry; they would bring the order out.

 

Which is just what they did, the minute I arrived. Then they thanked me profusely for thinking of them during this difficult time. I thanked them for remaining in service during this difficult time! So, we had a sort of Mutual Appreciation Society thing going on there.  And I’ll return.

 

They’ve always been lovely people: interactive, alert, efficient. But to hear them thanking me for thinking of them really hit home.

 

There are going to be rough days ahead–possibly months–when small local businesses are going to be struggling to keep their heads above water. It behooves us to remember them and to support the ones that are still open for take out and delivery. They’re serving the community in ways they don’t have to; they could be closing down and hoping/waiting for government assistance. After all, they have families and kids at home for the duration of this corona virus shutdown, too.

 

But here they are, staying open to serve their communities as best they can under trying conditions. It’s downright heroic of them.  Their patrons are their family. They care.

 

Think of the restaurants and other small local businesses in your community that are going “virtual” to serve you. If you’re a regular or a semi-regular (even if you’re not), give them your business as often as you can.

 

Isolation is no fun. Eating at home is fine, but if that isn’t your usual routine, be sure to order from your favorite restaurants about as often as you’d frequent them in normal times and go pick it up, or have UberEats deliver it to you.

 

That’s one way to be a good neighbor in your community.